Shloka 7
Śikhaṇḍī-janma-nigūḍha-vṛtta (The concealed birth-account of Śikhaṇḍī) | शिखण्डी-जन्म-निगूढ-वृत्त
तत्र वै निश्चितं तेषाम भूद् राज्ञां महात्मनाम् | तथ्यं भवति चेदेतत् कन्या राजन् शिखण्डिनी
tatra vai niścitaṃ teṣāṃ bhūd rājñāṃ mahātmanām | tathyaṃ bhavati ced etat kanyā rājan śikhaṇḍinī ||
ビーシュマは言った。「そこに集う大心の諸王の間で、固い決議が成った。『王よ、もしこれが真実と証され、シカンディニー（Śikhaṇḍinī）が実は男子ではなく乙女であると判明するなら、我らはパーンチャーラ（Pāñcāla）の王を捕らえて我が方の支配下に置き、別の王をパーンチャーラに据え、ドルパダ（Drupada）をシカンディー（Śikhaṇḍī）とともに討ち滅ぼす。』」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how political alliances can frame ‘truth’ as a pretext for coercive action. It raises ethical tension between proclaimed righteousness and expedient violence—showing how dharma becomes contested when honor, suspicion, and power dominate decision-making.
Bhishma reports a collective decision among certain kings: if it is verified that Shikhandini is actually a maiden, they will act against Panchala—capturing its king, replacing the ruler, and killing Drupada together with Shikhandini.